Hebrews 7:5
And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham:
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 29
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τῆς
who
G3588
τῆς
who
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
2 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
μὲν
verily
G3303
μὲν
verily
Strong's:
G3303
Word #:
3 of 29
properly, indicative of affirmation or concession (in fact); usually followed by a contrasted clause with g1161 (this one, the former, etc.)
ἐκ
out of
G1537
ἐκ
out of
Strong's:
G1537
Word #:
4 of 29
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
τῆς
who
G3588
τῆς
who
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
υἱῶν
the sons
G5207
υἱῶν
the sons
Strong's:
G5207
Word #:
6 of 29
a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship
τῆς
who
G3588
τῆς
who
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἱερατείαν
the office of the priesthood
G2405
ἱερατείαν
the office of the priesthood
Strong's:
G2405
Word #:
9 of 29
priestliness, i.e., the sacerdotal function
λαμβάνοντες
receive
G2983
λαμβάνοντες
receive
Strong's:
G2983
Word #:
10 of 29
while g0138 is more violent, to seize or remove))
ἐντολὴν
a commandment
G1785
ἐντολὴν
a commandment
Strong's:
G1785
Word #:
11 of 29
injunction, i.e., an authoritative prescription
ἔχουσιν
have
G2192
ἔχουσιν
have
Strong's:
G2192
Word #:
12 of 29
to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio
τῆς
who
G3588
τῆς
who
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
λαὸν
of the people
G2992
λαὸν
of the people
Strong's:
G2992
Word #:
15 of 29
a people (in general; thus differing from g1218, which denotes one's own populace)
κατὰ
according to
G2596
κατὰ
according to
Strong's:
G2596
Word #:
16 of 29
(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)
τῆς
who
G3588
τῆς
who
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
17 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
νόμον
the law
G3551
νόμον
the law
Strong's:
G3551
Word #:
18 of 29
law (through the idea of prescriptive usage), genitive case (regulation), specially, (of moses (including the volume); also of the gospel), or figurat
ἔστιν
G2076
τῆς
who
G3588
τῆς
who
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
21 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀδελφοὺς
brethren
G80
ἀδελφοὺς
brethren
Strong's:
G80
Word #:
22 of 29
a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like g0001)
αὐτῶν
G846
αὐτῶν
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
23 of 29
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ἐκ
out of
G1537
ἐκ
out of
Strong's:
G1537
Word #:
26 of 29
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
τῆς
who
G3588
τῆς
who
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
27 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Historical Context
Numbers 18:21-26 prescribed tithes for Levites as their inheritance since they received no land. This legal arrangement sustained the Levitical priesthood but also revealed its dependence on others and its this-worldly nature.
Questions for Reflection
- What does the tithe system reveal about different levels of authority in redemptive history?
- How does Christ's priesthood surpass the authority of the Levitical priesthood?
Analysis & Commentary
Levitical priests received tithes 'from the people according to the law,' though they too descended from Abraham. This was a legal obligation based on the Mosaic covenant. The point is that receiving tithes indicates priestly authority over those who pay. The Levitical system had authority, but it was derived and temporary. Christ's Melchizedekian priesthood is superior and eternal.